Glossary “brake spoon” Definition:
Tool used to adjust drum brake clearances.

Glossary “brake stopping distance” Definition:
The distance traveled from the application of the brakes to the point at which the vehicle comes to a complete stop.

Glossary “brake system” Definition:
The system in a vehicle that is used to slow or stop the vehicle.

Glossary “brake system bleeding” Definition:
See brake bleeding.

Glossary “brake thermal efficiency” Definition:
bHP converted to BTU’s, divided by the fuel’s heat input in BTU’s with the result multiplied by 100.

Glossary “brake torque” Definition:
The engine output at the flywheel as measured on a dynamometer.

Glossary “brake warning light” Definition:
An instrument-panel light that warns of brake-system malfunction.

Glossary “brake rattle” Definition:
Noise of varying pitch that changes as brakes are applied or released.

Glossary “brake shoe” Definition:
The curved metal part, faced with brake lining, that is forced against the brake drum to produce braking action.

Glossary “brake shoe heel” Definition:
The end of brake shoe opposite the anchor pin.

Glossary “brake shoe toe” Definition:
The end of brake shoe nearest the anchor pin.

Glossary “brake specific fuel consumption” Definition:
The measure of an engine’s fuel efficiency during dynamometer testing.

Glossary “brake power assist” Definition:
A device installed in a hydraulic brake system that reduces pedal effort and affords better braking.

Glossary “brake pull” Definition:
When a vehicle pulls to one side when the brakes are applied during a stop.

Glossary “brake pad” Definition:
The pad of friction material applied by the caliper to the disc, to slow or stop a vehicle.

Glossary “brake pedal effort gauge” Definition:
Used to check the driver’s input effort required to stop the vehicle. Typically available in calibrations of either 1 – 160 lbs. (car) or 0 – 300 lbs (trucks).

Glossary “brake pedal pulsation” Definition:
When the brake pedal moves up and down during a stop due to out of round drum or excessive runout in the rotors.

Glossary “brake pedal reserve” Definition:
Pedal travel distance before the brakes begin to apply.

Glossary “brake line” Definition:
Small-diameter, rigid-steel tubing, or flexible, rubber, reinforced hose, used to transmit brake fluid from the master cylinder to the wheel cylinders or calipers when the brakes are applied.

Glossary “brake lining” Definition:
A special friction material that will withstand high temperature and pressure, used for lining the brake shoes or pads, either by riveting or bonding.